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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 25, 2018 9:09:29 GMT -6
So, last night when I couldnt sleep (thanks Texas A&M for a 7 overtime game) I was perusing through the older topics on the site. I came across an thread that I feel needs to be discussed again for a plethora of reasons. For your shave, what do you prefer and why? My personal preference is a HOT water shave. I dont have to necissarily have taken a hot shower before, sometimes I do, sometimes I dont, but for the actual shave I am decidedly in the HOT water camp. As to why, well that is the million dollar question. I think it tends to feel better on my face, and if the growth is more than a 24 hour growth I belived it has the extra benefits of softening the hair on the face. Plus, to me at least it feels awesome. I will also soak my brush in HOT water, usually in my Saints cup (just for wchnu) as well as my razor. There is just something about a cold steel razor on my face that I dont like. I also will rinse off the razor in hot water as well. To finish, I will use tepid water but never cold, then a quick dry off and right to the after shave. So, what do yall prefer and why?
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Nov 25, 2018 9:39:48 GMT -6
I prefer warm water, because it plays more nicely with the soaps I use (both regular soap as a pre-shave in the shower, and the actual shaving soap).
Other than that, water temperature does not affect the shave (within reason, ie -0°C, or +72°C will not work well).
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Nov 25, 2018 9:58:21 GMT -6
I took too many forced cold water shaves, and I simply won't do that anymore. So my preference is for warm to hot water. I shave to remove the whiskers, but I also shave for the sensuous feel and warm to hot water wins out every time.
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Post by wchnu on Nov 25, 2018 14:10:16 GMT -6
I like hot tap water. Soaps lather better I think. With my prep I think the warmer water is better. I also understand it's personal preference mostly. Some with irritation problems say the cool water helps.
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poppi
Lather Catcher
Posts: 555
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Post by poppi on Nov 25, 2018 16:46:36 GMT -6
I much prefer hot water for face prep, brush soaking and the rinse after the shave. Strangely, I also prefer mentholated soaps/creams. Go figure cuz I don't get it but that's ok. It's just what I like
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 25, 2018 17:02:42 GMT -6
I prefer warm water, because it plays more nicely with the soaps I use (both regular soap as a pre-shave in the shower, and the actual shaving soap). Other than that, water temperature does not affect the shave (within reason, ie -0°C, or +72°C will not work well). Do you find that the preshave is actually a help? I am still on the fence about that. I understand what it is supposed to do, but I can see how a preshave oil could help. Being oil and water don't mix. Perhaps I am overthinking it.
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RobinK
Lather Catcher
Posts: 505
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Post by RobinK on Nov 25, 2018 17:13:41 GMT -6
Soap (regular soap) will see de-grease your whiskers, making them easier to catch for a blade. It will also make your whiskers more brittle.
The effect will be noticeable. Give it a try. But by all means use a regular soap, preferably one with a very traditional recipe.
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 25, 2018 17:34:52 GMT -6
Ok,that makes sense. I was thinking of it in the wrong way. I get the part about de-greasing and making it easier for the hiar to be caught, but what advantage is there for the hair being more brittle?
Does it affect the density or something along those lines? I'm not smart enough to understand the correlation between helping the shave and the hair becoming more brittle. Also, you only mention soap, so would an oil not work? I have heard of some folks using certain types of oils as a preshave, what is it from your experience?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2018 18:00:30 GMT -6
Hot water all the way. Cold and wet is no fun. I cant see how even a slight improvement in the shave would be worth the misery of the cold water. Ive done cold water shaves while camping though. In that situation I don't mind.
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Post by wchnu on Nov 25, 2018 18:22:40 GMT -6
Hot water all the way. Cold and wet is no fun. I cant see how even a slight improvement in the shave would be worth the misery of the cold water. Ive done cold water shaves while camping though. In that situation I don't mind. I agree on the roughing it.
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Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
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Post by Flintstone on Nov 26, 2018 16:40:18 GMT -6
I'm a little late on this thread, but better late than never. I'm in the camp of hot/warm water for the brush and during the shave, but cold water feels really nice and bracing to me for the final rinse. I'm still learning/perfecting my technique, which is just a fancy way of saying that I can give myself some nice irritation when I'm not careful, and the cold water really does feel good on the "burn".
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 27, 2018 0:03:22 GMT -6
I'm a little late on this thread, but better late than never. I'm in the camp of hot/warm water for the brush and during the shave, but cold water feels really nice and bracing to me for the final rinse. I'm still learning/perfecting my technique, which is just a fancy way of saying that I can give myself some nice irritation when I'm not careful, and the cold water really does feel good on the "burn". 1. Never late to a thread, heck we dig stuff up from years ago if it is revelent. 2. Do you have better feedback with the cold water at the end? What I mean by feedback is, noticing where you have irritation? 3. Do you put A/S before or after the cold rinse? I put mine on as the very LAST step. I want that last bit of alcohol to clean the skin, should there be any weepers. I will typically do my 3rd pass, or pickup pass, the wipe down, then witch hazel, let that dry, then A/S..
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Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
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Post by Flintstone on Nov 27, 2018 13:04:10 GMT -6
I'm a little late on this thread, but better late than never. I'm in the camp of hot/warm water for the brush and during the shave, but cold water feels really nice and bracing to me for the final rinse. I'm still learning/perfecting my technique, which is just a fancy way of saying that I can give myself some nice irritation when I'm not careful, and the cold water really does feel good on the "burn". 1. Never late to a thread, heck we dig stuff up from years ago if it is revelent. 2. Do you have better feedback with the cold water at the end? What I mean by feedback is, noticing where you have irritation? 3. Do you put A/S before or after the cold rinse? I put mine on as the very LAST step. I want that last bit of alcohol to clean the skin, should there be any weepers. I will typically do my 3rd pass, or pickup pass, the wipe down, then witch hazel, let that dry, then A/S.. For feedback, I used to use an alum block, but now it's only called in for heavy weepers or light nicks. When I first started wet-shaving in the unmentionable arena, I had so many weepers I look like I had contracted the measles....seriously. So the alum block was in constant use. My SE shaves have been surprisingly weeper-free, but it took some work on my technique to keep from getting some pretty bad irritation around my Adam's apple and right jawline. Ultimately, the cold water doesn't really give me any shave feedback, but fortunately (or rather unfortunately) my post-shave irritation shows itself pretty visually. For me the cold water rinse does seem to tamp down the initial severity of any burn/irritation, and usually shortens the time it lasts. Could be a psychosomatic kind of thing, but whether it's real or imagined, the results seem to be there for me...if that makes any sense. As for A/S, I haven't really tried any yet. My wife isn't a fan of colognes or heavy scents, so my post-shave routine has been a cold water rinse, dry off, apply witch hazel, let it dry and then finish with a face moisturizer (usually a Burt's Bees product). I did recently order some Fine's aftershave samples -- I figure I can try them out and see if the scents are a hit or a miss with the missus.
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ShadowsDad
Gem Star
None boring shaver!!
"It's not the bow, it's the Indian"
Posts: 4,534
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Post by ShadowsDad on Nov 27, 2018 14:47:47 GMT -6
'65, PM me your address. Trust me.
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Post by ordinaryshaver on Nov 27, 2018 14:53:52 GMT -6
1. Never late to a thread, heck we dig stuff up from years ago if it is revelent. 2. Do you have better feedback with the cold water at the end? What I mean by feedback is, noticing where you have irritation? 3. Do you put A/S before or after the cold rinse? I put mine on as the very LAST step. I want that last bit of alcohol to clean the skin, should there be any weepers. I will typically do my 3rd pass, or pickup pass, the wipe down, then witch hazel, let that dry, then A/S.. For feedback, I used to use an alum block, but now it's only called in for heavy weepers or light nicks. When I first started wet-shaving in the unmentionable arena, I had so many weepers I look like I had contracted the measles....seriously. So the alum block was in constant use. My SE shaves have been surprisingly weeper-free, but it took some work on my technique to keep from getting some pretty bad irritation around my Adam's apple and right jawline. Ultimately, the cold water doesn't really give me any shave feedback, but fortunately (or rather unfortunately) my post-shave irritation shows itself pretty visually. For me the cold water rinse does seem to tamp down the initial severity of any burn/irritation, and usually shortens the time it lasts. Could be a psychosomatic kind of thing, but whether it's real or imagined, the results seem to be there for me...if that makes any sense. As for A/S, I haven't really tried any yet. My wife isn't a fan of colognes or heavy scents, so my post-shave routine has been a cold water rinse, dry off, apply witch hazel, let it dry and then finish with a face moisturizer (usually a Burt's Bees product). I did recently order some Fine's aftershave samples -- I figure I can try them out and see if the scents are a hit or a miss with the missus. Just take it from me on this one. DO NOT use a menthol soap, and Osage Rub in the same shave!!! Dont ask me how I know, just take it from me!
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